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Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s just-released Tourism Snapshot – 2009 Year-In-Review forecasts a positive turnaround in growth and spending in 2010.

Thanks to the U.S. economy appearing to turn around with this year’s first quarter seeing an economic growth rate of 3.2 per cent and a brightening labour market, the CTC forecasts overnight business travel to Canada to improve by 4.7 per cent in 2010, with total spending up 7.6 per cent over 2009.

2009 Year in Review: Fact and Figures

• In 2009, there were 1.7 million overnight MC&IT U.S. travellers, of which 1 million were over 45 years of age.
• Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec posted the highest number of business travellers, despite declines of nine per cent, eight per cent, and 13 per cent respectively over 2008.
• U.S. business travellers spent $1.4 billion in 2009, a 15 per cent drop over the previous year. However, among CTC core markets, MC&IT visitors posted the highest average amount spent per night ($243).
• The volume of business travellers to Canada was evenly distributed across all four quarters in 2009.
• The top three activities for MC&IT travellers were shopping, going to a bar or club and sightseeing.

The U.S. overnight MC&IT travel is Canada’s second largest inbound market, second to U.S. overnight leisure travel.
 

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